What's more mind-numbing than a storyline about writer's block? Watching two writers yak endlessly about it. Part of the problem is that Tomas turns tongue-tied when the conversation changes to anything but books. How does he really feel about Nina's bratty son, Phillip? Does he ever get peeved when Nina's ex-hubby, Ryan, barges in after a spat with his whiny wife, Tricia? Given all those espressos Tomas downs at Crimson Lights, you'd think he'd be a little on edge.

Sadly, Tomas's laid-back attitude has had a tranquilizing effect on Nina, who barely cracked a smile when her manuscript was accepted. Nor was she alarmed when Phillip returned from summer camp in late September. Is this the same woman who plugged her no-good husband, David Kimball, five times? The Nina we remember - and love - was a scrappy survivor whose insecurities often got the best of her. That's what made her interesting. Nina should have tossed Tomas into the nearest used books bin months ago and turned the page.